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To Moog or not to Moog. That is the question

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    Posted: Feb/12/2020 at 7:07pm
Has anyone tried and is happy or had the misfortune of installing one of these full stock front end rebuild kits with ball joints and tie rods from the bay?  Theres one listed for $180 bucks and it just states " all new quality parts".  There is a site that has a all MOOG parts kit - matchy matchy with the Bay one, but its $340.  Is this an instance of you get what you pay for, or is the cheaper set just as good?  Whats been your experience with getting front end parts?

Thanks

72 Javelin SST P code 360/auto/AC/rear defrost /Go Pack/Polar White w blue cord interior.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bbgjc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb/12/2020 at 8:13pm
I use tons of Moog parts and have great success with them.  I've used other brands and they crap out way too soon.   I had set of BMW balls joints go bad in 5K.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ramblinrev Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb/12/2020 at 8:52pm
Go to Rockauto and you'll probably find all MOOG parts for closer to the $180 than the $340.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AMXFSTBK390 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb/12/2020 at 9:17pm
I recently rebuilt the front suspension on my 68 AMX. I ordered all the parts carte blanche. I wanted Moog or TRW parts only.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Buzzman72 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb/12/2020 at 10:06pm
You can't go wrong with Moog or TRW.

Much else might be a crapshoot.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote tomj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb/13/2020 at 12:18am
"quality" parts -- are the good quality? or bad quality?

Better to Moog than to fade away.

Parts quality is all over the place. I've been moving more and more towards quality *vendors* that will stand behind what they sell. Like Mike's Carburetors, I'm sure his carbs are chinese made, that's not the problem, Q.C. is and Mike seems to do that. RockAuto stands behind their parts -- way behind! lol kidding. They're drop-shippers, and they do take parts back, but custo serv is a bit rough. Summit is always slightly more money, but top notch large-scale vendor. Then our AMC suppliers, pricey, but you can talk on the phone to someone with the sticky part in their actual hand, and I need a rare, rare, yoke, and I'm gonna pay and pay, but I'll get the right part. Etc.


I'm wary of "kits" for cars this old. I buy a la carte. Last time I ate at a buffet I got the runs. (Seriously, don't eat the lettuce.)

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mixed up Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb/13/2020 at 12:18am
moog or trw yes I alwas get life time parts from them
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FSJunkie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb/13/2020 at 12:56am
Moog is the cheap stuff at NAPA. NAPA's Proformer Chassis parts are Moog. 3 year warranty.

NAPA's good stuff is their own brand called NAPA Chassis Parts, or NCP. Lifetime warranty.

Moog uses plain black rubber ball joint seals that just push over the ball stud and mush around the ball joint to seal it...poorly. NAPA Chassis Parts use blue Viton seals that are less prone to rotting and are manufactured as one peace with the ball joint for a 100% seal. Better seal = less lubrication and less contamination = longer life.

So go Moog if you want to go cheap.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Steve_P Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb/13/2020 at 6:45am
Moog is definitely not the quality it was 30 years ago. It was bought out by Federal Mogul which was then bought by Tenneco. I think that's where we are now. There's no way I would ever use a "white box" ball joint or tie rod end. I used generic ball joints one time 30 years ago and had to change them again in a year
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote White70JavelinSST Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb/13/2020 at 8:38am
Viton is the same material that the space shuttles cargo bay doors were sealed with.

I bought polyurethane boots for the ball joints, 15 years later they're still doing a good job. That's about 30K miles. Moog ball joints from 15 years ago were still excellent quality.

I strongly suggest you do NOT use polyurethane strut rod bushings.
If you do use them, do NOT lift the car and leave the suspension at full droop.
 if you do use poly bushings,  only lift the front of the car one side at a time under the very end of the lower control arm so the suspension does not droop..
70 Javelin SST, second owner, purchased 1972
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